Blinken pledges $135 million in US aid to Moldova to counter Russian influence
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged $135 million in aid to Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation as the Western-leaning nation struggles to blunt Russia's push for influence buoyed by recent successes in its war in neighboring Ukraine
CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday pledged $135 million in aid to Moldova for energy security and to counter Russian disinformation as the Western-leaning nation struggles to blunt Moscow’s push for influence buoyed by recent successes in its war in neighboring Ukraine.
Opening a short visit to eastern Europe with a stop in Chisinau before traveling to the Czech Republic, Blinken announced the assistance at a news conference with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
Before Wednesday, the U.S. had provided Moldova with $774 million in financial aid since the Ukraine war began in February 2022, $300 million of which was earmarked for energy security. Blinken’s trip, organized around a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Prague, comes amid concerns that Moldova and the former Soviet republic of Georgia are facing renewed threats from Russia.
The trip comes two weeks after Blinken made an unannounced trip to Ukraine to reassure Kyiv of Washington’s support in the face of increased Russian attacks in its north.
